Last Thursday evening, we went to watch the Stanford Cardinals beat the Oregon Ducks live at the Stanford Stadium. The place was packed. The weather could not be better: clear skies, not much wind, and a little balmy for a November evening. There was a Goodyear blimp circling the skies flashing lights and images. The audience was mostly cardinal red and this was not unexpected. On one side to our right were the telltale green and yellow with the prominent “O” on caps, hoodies, and banners. The air smelled of beer, hot dogs, and kettle corn.

Photo taken by daughter’s good friend, Kris Cheng from his vantage point at the game

We have adopted Stanford as our college sports team of choice ever since we moved to California. Our daughter was 7 at that time. Now, the fact that this has become her alma mater has elevated our lighthearted fondness to downright fanaticism!

Stanford fans just could not help themselves anymore. At 11 seconds to go, there was just no way this would end but a victory for the Stanford Football Team. Job well done. (c) Likeitiz

It was a swell evening. We cheered, screamed, clapped, and jumped. We heard a lot of swearing from the greens. We applauded the competition when they delivered. The Stanford band was dorky as ever. (Are they anti-establishment, anti-tradition, irreverent? All of the above, I think.) We love them and cheer them on!

Hubby beaming at the end of the game, with the football field swarmed by Stanford fans. (c) Likeitiz

At the end of the game, some of the Stanford players went to the Press interview wearing Clark Kent spectacles taped on their nasal bridges. The message could not be loud enough: